Watercooling GTX 980 ti

[ChrisDovahkiin]

Hey, need your opinions guys!

I have this GPU: http://

EVGA GTX 980 ti SC+ ACX 2.0

I'd like to watercool it, but I've never done this sort of thing.

Is there an all-in-one-kit that plug n plays? Do I need to do it all myself? What are my options? I have a $300 budget, but I'd love to keep it cheaper if possible.

Or, is there a better place to ask this? I'm open to whatever you throw at me.

I do realize that there are premade watercooled cards, but unfortunately, the thought never crossed my mind back then, and I don't have the funds for one.


Many thanks!

 

[wildfire707]

Your easiest to install option is probably an all in one kit like the Arctic Accelero Hybrid II-120. You just have to remove the existing air cooler, clean the old thermal compound off, put on new thermal compound (they include a pack) and install the new cooler. As long as your case can mount a 120mm exhaust fan reasonably close to the card, it will probably work.

The Arctic web site page for the cooler is here:

http://www.arctic.ac/us_en/accelero-hybrid-ii-120.html

NewEgg carries the cooler for $105 right now (USA):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186095

The Arctic kit works much better than air coolers and is more quiet as well, as long as the assembly is mounted correctly so that the pump noise doesn't transfer through the metal of your computer case.

 

[ChrisDovahkiin]

Your easiest to install option is probably an all in one kit like the Arctic Accelero Hybrid II-120. You just have to remove the existing air cooler, clean the old thermal compound off, put on new thermal compound (they include a pack) and install the new cooler. As long as your case can mount a 120mm exhaust fan reasonably close to the card, it will probably work.

The Arctic web site page for the cooler is here:

http://www.arctic.ac/us_en/accelero-hybrid-ii-120.html

NewEgg carries the cooler for $105 right now (USA):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186095

The Arctic kit works much better than air coolers and is more quiet as well, as long as the assembly is mounted correctly so that the pump noise doesn't transfer through the metal of your computer case.

It seems from the reviews, that one major drawback is having no way to cool the VRam or voltage regulators what so ever. Is there any stock in this?

 

[wildfire707]

That is correct, but as long as you have good air flow in the case, it should work. I used one in the past and was concerned about this, so I added an exhaust slot fan just below my video card. You may want to consider this too, since your card is factory overclocked.

 

[ChrisDovahkiin]

That is correct, but as long as you have good air flow in the case, it should work. I used one in the past and was concerned about this, so I added an exhaust slot fan just below my video card. You may want to consider this too, since your card is factory overclocked.

It's actually not cased. I have it open air. I do not have an extra fan, but in theory, can't I use the fans I take off?

 

[wildfire707]

That is correct, but as long as you have good air flow in the case, it should work. I used one in the past and was concerned about this, so I added an exhaust slot fan just below my video card. You may want to consider this too, since your card is factory overclocked.

It's actually not cased. I have it open air. I do not have an extra fan, but in theory, can't I use the fans I take off?

I don't think that you can use those fans. They are built in to the fan shroud, but it might be possible if you can remove them from the fan shroud. It is true that you can probably use a standard 80mm or 90mm case fan (or two) by mounting them on the back side heat sink. If you do that, you would want to make them exhaust fans (not intake fans) so that they are pulling the hot air up.